A Birthday Well Spent

Lana offered her pool for a few hours of swim time this morning. Afterward, Karston's grandma treated the birthday boy to lunch at Pizza King which is always special because a train delivers the drinks at Pizza King.

He loved every minute of it. He and Karston were able to consume and entire cheese pizza and got to play a video game as well.

Before playtime:

 After playtime:

We followed that up with his requested hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner and then playtime at House of Boom with two neighbor boys. He had a full day! Eight is off to a great start.

Ty's 8th Birthday Survey

What nicknames do people call you? Ty-Man and Buddy

If you could choose any name for yourself, what would it be? Henry

Favorite color: Red

Favorite food: Mac n Cheese

Favorite book: No David

Favorite TV show: Henry Danger

Favorite movie: Lego Batman

Favorite song: Baby by Justin Bieber

 

Favorite toy: my new basketball

Best friends: Alex and Kellen

What do you take to bed with you? My stuffed baby Brutus and my blanket

Where would you like to go on vacation? Texas

What do you want to be when you grow up? A super hero

Who is your favorite super hero? Batman or Night Wing

 

Favorite video game: Lego Batman because I can be Night Wing who is a really cool super hero

What was the best part about being 7? having Brutus with us and playing with a lot of friends

What are you best at?  Playing basketball

Happy birthday Ty! Life with you is an ongoing adventure. We are excited to see what year eight brings!

Celebrating Jake and Ty

Tonight we celebrated both Jake and Ty. They are both having birthdays tomorrow. Ty insisted we go to the store today to get Jake a gift. He selected the card and a fidget spinner because he believed Jake really wanted one. He enjoyed teaching Jake how to use it and Jake anticipates being an expert spinner in no time.

Jake brought Ty his childhood monster trucks and Ty was so excited to receive them. Ty also chose an Oreo ice cream cake and festive candles for our celebration. When asked by the cashier who was being celebrated, Ty first told her all about his friend Jake.

Erin thought an assault rifle was an appropriate gift for an eight year old and Ty couldn't agree more. Our celebration was simple but fun. Happy birthday to Ty's friend Jake.

A Saturday Well Spent

My friend Robbin walked a local park with me while Ty and his buddy rode their bikes along the trail. We followed up with a bonfire and of course, smores. Legos filled their afternoon and giggles haven't stopped as they slowly (very slowly) make their way toward the sleeping part of their sleepover.

Ty met Gavin in preschool as a brand new three year old. Ty started the year (and continued for the 8 weeks he remained there) crying at the door for me until he found a quiet corner to put himself to sleep every day. Gavin soon followed suit and also started crying at the door much to the dismay of both his mother and the teachers!

Gavin is exactly three days older than Ty and they consistently have a good time together.

Ty was abandoned by all of his sisters for the weekend and failed to find my company the least bit entertaining after a few hours so we asked for Gavin for the night. It was a good call despite evidence that suggests they perhaps had a just a bit too much sugar around that bonfire.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Birthdays

On Sunday we hosted Dale and Carol for dinner to celebrate her birthday. I wish I had thought to pull out the camera while they were here. We also worked in a little celebration of sorts for Ty's upcoming 8th birthday. Grandma scored serious points with the step counting watch and basketball. So far, we have not had a meal without both items present and the ball has a place in his bed as well. I think he is pleased.

 

Pup-pup

Jake took Pup-pup to be groomed yesterday. Before they even started the process, Pup-pup started to seize. At the three hour mark of the seizure, Erin called me crying and scared. At hour four, he passed away. His little heart couldn't take it anymore. All of us are shocked and so very sad.

Pup-pup was a happy little guy. Everyone loved him. When I told Ty he was gone, Ty decided it was best Brutus died first so Pup-pup wouldn't be scared in heaven. Erin has decided he wanted to be with Nana. Either option brings just enough peace, but we still question. It all feels so unfair.

I told Lauren what Ty had to say and she laughed remembering the day all five dogs were here when the cable guy arrived. We took all of them outside to what the kids named "Mimi's Pup Park" to keep them out of the way. Layla hid behind Makenna. Cheech and Chong hid behind Lauren and Brutus had laid down already so there was no way he was getting up to investigate. Pup-pup pranced right up to that guy and barked at him with as much authority as his little ten pound body could muster. It was in that moment Jake, desperate to toughen up his new addition called the dog, "Pup-Pup Death Johnson"! And we all roared with laughter! Pup-pup believed he was mighty and all the other dogs believed him too.

It was that day I placed a tiny studded leather collar into my cart on Amazon because I knew what I was getting him for Christmas! I shared my plan with a friend and she wanted measurements when I got to puppy sit because she was making him a pleather vest with a patch of the American flag and eagle to further demonstrate his bad boy image.

He was a sweet little dog and a light in Erin's world. She is heartbroken. We all are. Rest in peace Pup-pup. You are loved here.

Father's Day Well Spent

His card read "This Father's Day, let's spend some uninterrupted time together, going for a walk, having something to eat, or just talking. We have 5 minutes." So much truth in one little card.......

It was a Father's day well spent with good friends. One sweet family is moving to Texas next week so we are embracing what final moments we can. These are my people and I am not all together thrilled to see them leave but excited about their future in Houston.

Year One

Taylor and Lauren are celebrating their one year anniversary in their third house together, sleeping on an air mattress because their belongings are on a truck somewhere in the continental United States. We hope. These two have navigated three addresses in three states, a five month Army induced separation, the devastating loss of a close friend, the loss of all three of their childhood dogs and all the emotions involved in learning how to be married. To say they have been in the trenches, would be an understatement. They weathered some tough moments this past year but they are on the same team, loving each other and growing stronger together. We are incredibly proud of them. Happy Anniversary! We love you Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Baird.

Family Photos

We took advantage of a sale a local photographer held back in February in hopes Lauren and Taylor would be able to come home at some point this year to join us. Lynn at Adwellphotography.com was able to accomodate our last minute request and was sweet too.